Collision repair veteran and longtime Autobody News contributor Toby Chess began presenting his picks for Kool Tools of SEMA to the industry in 2014, along with his friend Kye Yeung.
SCRS took over the project to expand the items presented. Chess still submits items to the committee; some are included and some are not.
Chess still uses some past Kool Tools today while conducting training. Here, he revisits them, along with a few new items.
Chess does not get compensated for any of the products he is writing about.
Astro Pneumatic Quick Change In-Line 4-inch Cut-Off Tool
Inline cut-off tools make it a lot easier to control the cut than traditional cut-off tools, where the blade is perpendicular to the tool. Astro has 3- and 4-inch models. I have the 4-inch model, which I bought three years ago from Amazon. It has great power and is well balanced. Everyone that has used mine has purchased their own.
Astro Pneumatic Pyramid Drill Bits
About four years ago, I came across these pyramid drill bits on a national tool company truck. I was going to buy it, but the cost was extremely high. The following year at SEMA, I found the same set at the show and was told that it could be purchased from — where else — Amazon.
There are a number of features on these bits that make them unique. First, they do not need to be center punched. Second, they cut in a series of steps, using multiple drill bits for a single hole. Third, they work better at lower speeds than conventional bits, so there is less heat buildup and a longer drill life. Finally, these drill bits cannot be sharpened, but the replacement cost is relatively low.
I was training at the Rivian Training Center recently and the collision director asked if I had any suggestions for a drill bit that would penetrate martensitic steel, which is rated at 1,300 MPa. I gave him one of my Astro TurboStep HSS bits. It worked better than any other drill bits they tried, and Astro drills are the only ones on their required equipment list. Two kits are available on Amazon for less than $140.
Millner-Haufen Tool Co. 4-inch Diamond Angle Grinding Wheel
I featured this 4-inch cut-off wheel in Kool Tools a few years ago. It is still cutting like when it was new. I used my Astro 4-inch cut-off tool with the Millner 4-inch disc to cut some 3/16 metal, and it sliced right through it. I also used it on cinder block I was using to install a fence extender on a cinder block wall. It also has a 40-grit surface on one side and an 80-grit on the other for grinding. Best of all, it has a lifetime warranty.
KECO Lateral Tension Tools
I found this definition on the web about lateral tension: “Lateral tension works with the metal's natural flexibility. When metal gets dented, it stretches and changes shape. Lateral tension helps the metal ‘remember’ its original shape, allowing it to bounce back without the need for repainting or invasive body work.”
I have a book called “Automotive Body and Fender Repair” written in 1941. It talks about repairing a large dent. It stated using “pressure exerted (outside of the dent) will restore a portion of the original shape that the creases may then be treated with hammer and dolly blocks.”
KECO did not invent tension tools, but it engineered the tools that allowed for better and faster dent removal using its glue pulling system. Go to Kecotabs.com and review the videos on how to use them.
A final note: If you do not have a KECO Tab Glue system, these tools are must purchase when using any other manufacturer’s glue tab dent pulling system.
KECO GPS Star Vortex Cooler
The biggest complaint that I get from techs when teaching the KECO system is it takes too much time for the glue to set up for pulling. The Star Vortex tool from KECO will accelerate the glue set up time to about two minutes. It has a magnet attachment so it can be set up for steel parts without anyone holding it. This is a must-have tool for hot weather.
Car-Rep 2K Epoxy Primers
2K epoxy primer in a spray can is not new. SprayMax introduced its 2K EP in 2018. The can had two chambers inside. After the chamber separator is punctured with the internal spike, the catalyst mixes with the primer and it is ready for spraying. This product is good for one or two days.
Three years ago, at SEMA, I discovered Car-Rep 2K Epoxy Primer. The company uses an entirely different technology. As the primer and inert catalyst comes in contact with water and oxygen, the catalyst becomes active and starts the cross-linking process. Car-Rep 2K Epoxy Primers are the only 2K Primers with unlimited pot life — so you can use the entire can.
I have included two of the Car-Rep products: a black version that is also a primer sealer, and a gray 2K version.
Why is having a spray can version of the 2K primer important? Honda, Toyota, Porsche and Rivian all require a 2K primer to bare metal before any body filler, sealant or any other underlayments are applied. Nearly every OEM requires a 2K epoxy primer to bare metal before applying seam sealer. In the past, the vehicle would need to be moved to the paint department, but with Car-Rep, the body technician can apply it in his stall. Wait 45 minutes for sealant and one hour for body filler application.
Car-Rep 2K Clear Coat
Car-Rep introduced a new 2K product that needs to be looked at. The company introduced its upgraded 2K clear coat recently, and I have been told by a couple refinish technicians that it works great. Just like Car-Rep’s other products, it has nearly unlimited shelf life. The techs told me they use it on small parts like door and mirror covers, spray out cards, small spot repairs and hard-to-reach interior areas.
Shaviv USA
The next tools on my list are from Shaviv USA, a countersink and deburring units. I found these items at SEMA last year, and SCRS made it a Kool Tools of SEMA. I loaned mine to a technician at a certified Tesla repair center. Recently, I asked for his thoughts on them. He used them on a Tesla quarter panel replacement to install a countersunk blind rivet. After drilling the correct diameter hole, he used the double-cutting edge cutter. The cutter will simultaneously cut the front side on the upper panel and the back side of the bottom panel.
Not being able to access the bottom/back panel, a burr could be present, which would cause the rivet to not “sit” properly. The tech then used the countersinking tool so the countersunk rivet would sit flush.
Vampire Tools Stripped Screw Extractor
You grip the fastener and twist to remove stripped, damaged, rusted and stubborn fasteners. The pliers also work on specialty screws, such as one-way tamper-proof screws, low-profile dome heads, truss, Torx, round or pan head screws sized between 3 mm to 9.5 mm (0.12″ – 0.37″.) This tool is a must have when working on older vehicles.
Matador MIG Welding Pliers
Another must-have tool is a pair of MIG welding pliers. The Matador MIG Welding Pliers are a multi-use welding tool. They clean the nozzle of slag, cut the wire, and tighten the parts on the MIG gun and nozzle removal. I have been conducting welding tests for more than 20 years, and these are the only pliers I have used. Most techs want to know where to get them. They are available from Amazon and Home Depot.
Polyvance 6146 Bumper Pliers Kit
The last pair of pliers that I want to write about are bumper pliers from Polyvance, which are used in conjunction with the plastic welders for repairing bumper slots. This tool is a must for working on side bumper slots.
Welding Gloves
Next on my list of items are proper welding gloves. Above are typical welding gloves I see daily. On the left are arc welding gloves, in the center are worn out MIG welding gloves, and the ones on the right are worn out TIG welding gloves. It should be noted that welding gloves are part of PPE and need to be furnished by the shop.
I have found that Black Stallion 39 welding gloves get excellent wear at a very reasonable price. MIG welding requires less heat protection than stick welding. These gloves are usually made from pig, deer or cow hides for protection along with high durability. MIG gloves tend to be a bit thicker with more insulation than the thinner TIG glove.
CSI Clear Coat Solutions Ceram-XX Polish
How would you like to save 50% or more when color sanding and polishing? Kye introduced me to this product five years ago. This product uses ceramic abrasives, which are known for their durability and efficiency. Unlike traditional polishes, Ceram-XX offers consistent results, reduces the need for multiple polishing steps, and extends the life of polishing pads.
Color sand with 1500 grit wet or dry sandpaper. Then, wet the wool pad (blue) with water. Cerami-XX is a water-based material and by wetting it, any dried material becomes liquid, so there is no need to clean the pad with a sharp tool. Apply Cerami-XX to the pad or panel and polish at low speed (1200 RPM max). When done, flip the pad over to the foam side and apply water to it. The Cerami-XX polishes with the foam pad.
With these two products, you can eliminate most of your many detailing products.
Polish the panel and when finished, clean up any residue with water and a clean cloth. Any residue in the jambs will dissolve with water when the vehicle is washed. No other additional products or labor is needed or required.
CSI Clear Coat Solutions Q-7 Detailer
I am always asking the shops how they remove overspray from glass, and the response is steel wool or a razor blade. Apply Q-7 Detailer to the glass and clean with the synthetic clay mitt; wipe until there is no friction. Then wipe with a clean cloth.
There is no need for window cleaner, because Q-7 Detailer is the best window cleaner I have used. The clay mitt and Q-7 work on the entire exterior panels — plastic, steel, aluminum, vinyl and rubber. It also works on seats (except leather), door panels, dashes and windows.
Milwaukee 18-Volt Polisher
I have been using this buffer for more than four years. It is lightweight and very well balanced. There is no electrical cord, or brushes to wear out. Every time I use it in a shop, the detail technicians want to buy it. The company also has an orbital unit, but I haven’t tried it.
If you are at SEMA this year, take a little extra time to seek out these companies, or go online and order. I will be walking the floor this year at SEMA, so stay tuned.
